Graduate Hotels

Hilton reached 1,000 luxury and lifestyle hotels globally with recent openings in Paris, Cape Town, Dallas, Osaka, and Costa Rica, planning 150-plus more in 2025.

Richie Karaburun, clinical associate professor at NYU, is worried. But the hospitality industry continues growth with new hotels, acquisitions, and expansions across the US and Europe despite tariff concerns.

In 2024, Hilton achieved 7.3% net unit growth by adding nearly 1,000 hotels and strengthening its global pipeline, while expanding its brand portfolio with new lifestyle and luxury offerings worldwide.

Barry Sternlicht is set to revive the Starwood brand through his current hotel management company, SH Hotels & Resorts, rebranding it as Starwood from February.

International tourism in the first seven months of 2024 grew by 11% compared to 2023, nearing 2019 levels, with all regions showing strong recovery, led by the Middle East, and many countries exceeding pre-pandemic arrival numbers and receipts.

The nationwide hotel strike is intensifying, impacting major hotel chains and owners, with concerns about the long-term effects of either giving in to union demands or enduring prolonged strikes.

CBRE has lowered its U.S. hotel performance forecast for 2024 due to weakening leisure travel and corporate profits but still expects RevPAR growth driven by international tourism and election-related events.

The NYU Conference had mixed opinions on its tone and mood, with Barclays finding it muted and Truist noting a lack of extreme bullishness, while discussions on hotel REITs highlighted concerns about investment strategies and the influence of hedge funds.

NoMad's Las Vegas property will be left behind as new owner Hilton focuses on other properties currently – and in the future – of the brand.

Europe hostel chain A&O is set to invest €500 million to aid its expansion across Europe. The company is seeking to expand its presence in European city centers.